Tag: Health and wellbeing

Contini George Street partners with Maggie’s Edinburgh for month-long fundraising campaign

Contini George Street is proud to announce a meaningful new partnership with Maggie’s Edinburgh, a charity offering expert cancer support and information in Edinburgh.

The newly formed partnership will support the charity’s vital cancer care services throughout the month of May through a series of fundraising initiatives, headlined by a pre-loved designer pop-up shop and a specially curated menu designed to reflect the spirit and colors of Maggie’s.

From May 14th to 17th, the former Jo Malone shop at 93 George Street will be transformed into Maggie’s Boutique, featuring over 1,200 donated lines of high-end designer fashion.

To celebrate the collaboration, anyone visiting the pop-up will receive a voucher for a complimentary Maggie’s Cocktail (available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions). 

The voucher can be redeemed at Contini George Street with the purchase of any main course during lunch or dinner service and featured cocktails include:

  • Brindisi per Maggie: A refreshing Passion Fruit Spritz with prosecco, Aperol, passionfruit, and mint.
  • Dolce Maggie (Non-alcoholic): A sophisticated blend of Crodino Biondo, soda, and 0% ABV sparkling wine.

These cocktails will also be available for general purchase at £10, with £1 from every drink sold donated directly to the charity.

For the entire month of May, Contini George Street will also feature two dedicated dishes on their à la carte and breakfast menus, with a portion of every sale supporting Maggie’s fundraising goals.

  • Buongiorno Maggie’s (£9): A breakfast delight of seasonal fruit salad with Graham’s Greek yoghurt, Victor’s honey, and homemade granola.
  • Maggie’s Giardino (£20): A nutritious take on the classic Italian Caprese, substituting traditional red tomatoes for orange Datterini tomatoes and fresh Italian apricots to match Maggie’s signature branding. This vegetarian and gluten-free dish features Mozzarella di bufala DOP, Contini kitchen garden basil, and Victor’s organic extra virgin olive oil.

Carina Contini, co-owner of Contini Restaurants, said: “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Maggie’s this May. Our ‘Maggie’s Giardino’ dish is a tribute to their work. We invite all our regulars and new visitors to the George Street pop-up to join us in raising a glass, and more importantly, vital funds for a charity that holds a special place in the hearts of so many Edinburgh residents.”

By combining the reach of Contini’s George Street presence with the high-profile designer pop-up, both organisations hope to drive significant foot traffic and awareness for cancer care support in the capital.

Maggie’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager Samantha Lea said: “We are so grateful to Contini for supporting us this May, particularly with Maggie’s Boutique later this month.

“As a charity we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to support people facing a cancer diagnosis, as well as their family and friends.

“It is 30 years since we opened our centre in Edinburgh, the first of what is now 27 across the UK, and thanks to partnerships like this one with Contini we are able to reach even more people living with cancer from across the whole Lothian region.”

Event Details & Opening Times

Maggie’s Boutique Pop-Up (93 George Street):

  • Thursday, May 14th: Noon – 9:00 PM
  • Friday, May 15th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 16th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday, May 17th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Contini George Street (103 George Street):

  • Maggie’s Fundraising Menu: Available daily throughout May 2026.
  • Cocktail Voucher Redemption: Valid for pop-up visitors during event dates.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite booking page.

A safer drug consumption facility for Edinburgh? Drop-in Sessions

Want to find out more about a safer drug consumption facility for Edinburgh?

Come along to our drop in sessions – the first one is next week.

• Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, EH8 8BG on Thursday 14 May from 1pm to 5pm and Thursday 28 May from 5pm to 8pm

• Grassmarket Centre, 86 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QA on Tuesday 9 June from 1pm to 5pm and Tuesday 16 June from 5pm to 8pm

Tesco team backs Corstorphine dementia charity with kitchen equipment donation

  • The team at Tesco Extra in Corstorphine donated £200 to Corstorphine Dementia Project for new kitchen equipment.
  • The equipment will support the charity, who host the Jubilee Club, a lunch and social event for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
  • The charity has launched a crowdfunding page to help renovate their new premises.

The team at Tesco Extra supermarket in Corstorphine has supported a local dementia charity with a donation of £200, which has been used to purchase new kitchen equipment.

The equipment, which includes kettles, toasters and utensils, will help support the team at Corstorphine Dementia Project, which hosts a day service on Monday to Fridays each week for members to enjoy regular lunch events where people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can meet, enjoy lunch and socialise.

This donation comes at a vital time for the group, which, for more than 30 years, has been a well-known, and vital community lifeline, providing essential support for families in North West Edinburgh.

With its current premises planned to be demolished within 12 months, the charity has found a new home that will secure its future for decades to come, allowing its caring and dedicated team to continue providing the care and support that families in North West Edinburgh have come to rely on. 

However, the new premises require refurbishment, so the Corstorphine Dementia Project has launched a Crowdfunder page to raise £35,000 which will go towards the work needed on the new site.

Karen Brown, Senior Support Worker at the Corstorphine Dementia Project, said: “We’re hugely grateful for this incredible donation and we’d like to thank the lovely team at Tesco Extra Corstorphine for their support.

“It has made a real difference and is very much appreciated by both our members and the team.

“Our group’s day-care centre, the Jubilee Club, provides a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where people living with dementia and cognitive impairment can enjoy meaningful activities, social interaction and personalised care.

“With this new equipment, we can continue providing them with tasty lunches and hot drinks, while giving them an opportunity to socialise with other members in the community.

“We’re also grateful for any donations to our crowdfunding page, which will allow us to continue our vital work, securing our future in an environment where we can thrive and make an even greater impact. We hope to create a new home that fosters hope, inclusion and growth.”

Deborah Brown, Community Champion at Tesco Corstorphine Extra, said: “The vital work carried out by the Corstorphine Dementia Project at its Jubilee Club is an incredibly important part of our community, so we were really delighted to be able to play our part in supporting them.

“The sessions they host for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are wonderful and we wish them the best of luck working on securing more funding for their new premises and urge our customers to donate to their crowdfunding page if they can.”

To donate to the Corstorphine Dementia Project crowdfunding page, please visit: 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/dyjoAa1l?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

Half of medium- and high-risk mental health patients in A&E not properly observed throughout their stay, new RCEM report reveal

Around half of higher-risk mental health patients in Emergency Departments were not properly observed during their stay last year. 

That’s according to a new data published by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) today, 11 May, which is the first day of UK Mental Health Awareness Week.

The data is published in the 2025 annual report for the Mental Health and Self Harm Quality Improvement Programme (QIP).  

RCEM’s QIPs are designed to improve care and awareness of particular issues in Emergency Departments among clinicians, offer recommendations on practice and in turn drive improvements to patient care.  

Today’s report is the final one for the QIP on Mental Health and Self Harm, which ran from 2022-2025 and tracked progress in the care for patients attending EDs across the UK at risk of self-harm and absconding.  

It measured EDs against three standards:  

  1. Patients having a mental health triage by clinicians on arrival to gauge their risk of further adverse events, including self-harm or leaving without assessment. 
  1. Patients deemed medium or high-risk of further self-harm or absconding should be observed during their whole length of stay in the ED 
  1. Assessment of patients presenting with self-harm by an ED clinician should include a brief assessment of ongoing risk, the type of self-harm inflicted, the trigger for the episode, a brief social history and any current thoughts of further self-harm 

The report found that an average of 48.6% of patients deemed medium or high risk of self-harm and absconding from the ED were appropriately observed last year.  

This is a significant improvement on 2023, where the average was 29.1%, and a slight improvement on the 2024, when it was 42.8%. 

Observation rates, the report found, dipped to an average of below 35% in early December 2025 – one of the busier times of year for EDs, which adds further barriers for staff in delivering high quality care including patient observation.  

Almost three quarters (76.1%) of patients presenting with self-harm underwent a mental health triage, lower than in year 2 (81.7%) of the QIP, but slightly better than year 1 (74.6%). Meanwhile, mean average times to triage increased from 42 minutes in year 2 to 45 minutes in year 3 and may be indicative of increasing demands on ED services. 

The report also found:  

  • The vast majority (92.12%) of patients presenting with self-harm had the type of self-harm recorded
  • Meanwhile, just 45.6% had an adequate social history recorded, around half (51.8%) were asked about further self-harm plans or thoughts, and less than three-quarters (71.8%) had the trigger for the episode recorded 

40% of patients, during the summer, were asked about all four of these areas. In early December 2025, only around 20% were asked.  

The report noted that performance against the clinical standards was likely impacted by the high demand and pressures facing EDs, particularly in winter.  

Evidence of compassionate and practical care for patients presenting with mental health needs was recorded in 40.7% of cases.  The data shows an improvement on year 2 (38%) and year 1 (30%). 

Based on these findings, the QIP report made a series of recommendations aimed at driving further improvements for each clinical standard for care of mental health patients in ED.  

Dr Nirmal James, Topic Lead for the QIP, said: “This final report has shown an improvement in addressing certain key factors of health care quality including compassionate and practical care.  

“However, the high demands facing EDs will likely have had an impact on delivery of some of key standards covered by the QIP.  

“It is encouraging to see some of our most vulnerable patients are being observed throughout their stay in ED far more than they were before we embarked on this project. 

“However, there is still scope for improvement, and I hope the findings and recommendations from this QIP can continue to drive improvement in patient care.” 

Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM President, said: “The College thanks all sites and individuals who took part in this QIP for their contributions towards this important piece of work. 

“The improvements made to care are a testament to the hard work of our staff who have been able to make positive changes despite an extremely challenging environment,  

“However, today’s report shows how much still must be done to safeguard mental health patients in the ED.  

“This final report has also further exposed just how difficult it is to drive improvements to patient care while our departments are overstretched, and staff are pushed over their limits.” 

The full QIP reports can be found here.

RCEM-Improvement-ProgrammeDownload

NHS 24: Stroke – Act FAST

🚨 Identifying a Stroke Using the FAST Method 🚨

Strokes are serious and time-sensitive medical emergencies that require immediate attention. Knowing how to quickly recognise the signs can be crucial in saving a life.

That’s where the FAST method comes in – an easy-to-remember acronym to help you spot the signs of a stroke.

Strokes can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Remember, every minute counts when it comes to strokes.

Stay informed, share this knowledge and help spread awareness

New service to support expectant parents’ emotional wellbeing

A new service to help expectant parents with their emotional wellbeing during pregnancy has been launched in NHS Lothian by NSPCC Scotland this Maternal Mental Health Week (4-10 May).

Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is an online group service that supports parents, who are expecting a baby, with complicated feelings that can arise during pregnancy. It is designed to create a safe and reassuring space for parents in weeks 12-26 of pregnancy so they can reflect on any concerns, worries, or low mood they may be experiencing. 

PiM encourages them to reflect on their pregnancy as it progresses and their connection to their growing baby, encourages social support with other parents-to-be, and builds confidence for when their baby is born. 

The programme has eight online group sessions, usually delivered weekly (for 90-120 minutes), from the start of the second trimester (12 weeks) plus two one-to-one online post-birth sessions.

The service is delivered by practitioners who are experienced in creating a warm, safe and supportive space where expectant parents can build confidence, develop helpful ways of coping, and connect with others as they navigate pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of their new baby. 

The service brings together a range of evidence informed approaches, including mindfulness, relaxation, coping strategies, building confidence in understanding emotional wellbeing and developing supportive social connections.

Parents do not need to be experiencing severe symptoms to take part, the service is open to those who feel they would benefit from extra support during pregnancy. Introductions by health and social care workers to the service can be made at any point up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. The pregnant person, their partner, support person or the baby’s other parent can take part in the programme.

Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director for NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the NSPCC to add this programme to the range of support available to expectant parents.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and this service offers early, practical support to parents who need it most, helping them to give their babies and children the best possible start in life.” 

Jen Dixon, Team Manager at NSPCC Scotland, said: “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of emotional wellbeing during pregnancy.  

When parents are finding things difficult, offering support to them as early as possible, can help them feel less alone as they prepare to meet their baby. 

“Often parents join Pregnancy in Mind feeling uncertain, isolated or overwhelmed. Through the sessions, they connect with other parents who are experiencing similar feelings. The programme supports them to develop ways to improve their own wellbeing, leading them to feel more hopeful, confident and less overwhelmed when their baby is born.  

“This supports their ability to create nurturing foundations and connections with their babies from the very beginning, including during pregnancy.”   

For further information about PiM contact NSPCC Scotland by email: 

scotland1@nspcc.org.uk

UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

Latest information on cases including British nationals

Statement from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):

The UK government continues to work with international authorities in preparing for the arrival of British nationals to the UK from the MV Hondius cruise ship where an outbreak of Hantavirus was confirmed by the World Health Organization.

Two British nationals have confirmed hantavirus, with an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha. None of the British citizens onboard are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored.

The ship is expected to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, according to the latest updates from the Spanish Health Ministry. UK government staff will be on the ground ready to support the British nationals disembarking. British Passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK Government staff to an airport and given free passage back to the UK.

FCDO and UKHSA teams will be on the ground to support these arrangements, bolstered by a Rapid Deployment Team sent from the UK. The FCDO is chartering a dedicated repatriation flight for British ship passengers and crew only. This flight will be free of charge.

UKHSA is working with partners to ensure the flight operates under strict infection control measures. Public health and infectious disease specialists from UKHSA and the NHS will be on board to monitor British Nationals whilst on the flight, to ensure that preventative measures are in place and to provide any care in the unlikely event that any passengers become unwell on the flight.

All British passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius will be asked to isolate for 45 days upon returning to the UK and UKHSA will closely monitor these individuals, with testing as required.

Follow up is already underway for individuals who may have been in contact with cases and have since returned to the UK or are in in UK Overseas Territories. The UK government will ensure those self-isolating are given appropriate support.

UKHSA is aware of seven British Nationals who disembarked the ship at St Helena on 24 April.

Two of those people have returned to the UK independently and are isolating at home in the UK. Neither of these individuals is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate.

Four of these individuals remain in St Helena. A seventh individual has been traced outside of the UK.

The FCDO is in direct contact with the ship and British nationals on board and has stood up consular teams across multiple countries to support British nationals.

UK government is working very closely with international partners in response to this incident, including the cruise ship operator and the governments of UK overseas territories which were visited by the ship.

UK government teams are working at pace to get medical support to all affected Overseas Territories. The Ministry of Defence has worked with UKHSA to provide vital diagnostic supplies, including PCR tests, which were delivered to Ascension Island via a military plane on 7 May.

The risk to the general public remains very low.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said: “This is an evolving situation, and we are working closely with partners to support British Nationals on board the MV Hondius.

“The risk to the general population remains very low and the public can be reassured that established infection control measures will be put in place at every step of the journey to ensure the safe repatriation of British passengers on board.”

Further information on the repatriation of British nationals will be provided in due course.

£0 Joining Fee This May: Edinburgh Leisure encourages the capital to Keep Moving and Keep Going 

After trying new ways to move this spring, Edinburgh Leisure is inviting the city to keep going. Throughout May, new customers can join Edinburgh Leisure with a £0 joining fee, making it easier than ever to turn new routines into lasting habits.

The limited‑time offer removes a key barrier to commitment, encouraging people who have already started getting active – or are thinking about starting – to make movement part of everyday life.

The campaign follows April’s popular Spring Pass, which gave Edinburgh residents the freedom to explore gyms, pools and fitness classes without pressure. Now, the focus moves from trying things out to staying with what works.

Keep What You Started 

Whether it’s energetic gym sessions, swimming lengths, group fitness classes or a slower, wellness‑led routine, Edinburgh Leisure memberships are designed to be flexible. Members can move in different ways across the week and adapt their routine as life and energy levels change. There’s no single “right” way to be active. Edinburgh Leisure supports real people, real schedules and real lives. 

Designed for Real Life

Starting something new is one thing – keeping it going is often harder. Busy schedules, rising costs and uncertainty about commitment can all get in the way.

By removing the joining fee, Edinburgh Leisure is making it easier for people to maintain momentum and build routines that fit around work, family and everyday demands. Memberships include access to gyms, swimming, fitness classes and social sports across venues city‑wide, giving members the freedom to change how they move without starting again. 

Supporting Activity Across the City 

The £0 joining fee offer supports participation across Edinburgh Leisure’s network of venues, including Meadowbank Sports Centre, Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and the Royal Commonwealth Pool, helping more people stay active in ways that work for them.

The £0 joining fee offer is available for a limited time throughout May.


To join or find out more, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/may-membership-offer/ 

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to helping people lead more active, healthy lives. With more than 75 sport, leisure and school venues across the city, it creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get active and stay active.

NHS Lothian: Perinatal mental health sympton checker

Not sure if what you’re feeling is normal? This perinatal mental health symptom checker highlights signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Trust yourself, reach out early, and ask for help.

Visit: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-health-symptom-checker/ to learn more.

Mental Health Foundation: Top tips for looking after your wellbeing

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

Looking after your mental health doesn’t have to mean big changes. Sometimes it’s the small actions that can make a real difference. 💜

In partnership with OLIO – Share More, Waste Less, we’re sharing three simple tips for supporting your wellbeing this #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

Throughout May, Olio users will have the option to donate to the Mental Health Foundation after collecting or sharing an item in the app. Because even sharing what you no longer need, can help make a big difference.

Find out more about Olio at OLIO – Share More, Waste Less or by visiting www.mentalhealth.org.uk/olio

#MHAW

#MHAW2026

#MentalHealthMatters

#MentalHealthAwareness